History of Lataria
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Chapter 4: Concerning Ice Dragons
The creation and wellbeing of the breathers of frost follow thus: Various parts of the earth were given forth to fruit, mountains, forests, jungles, deserts, and water. Despite the variety of lands, the earth was not balanced. What was needed was the extreme of the warmth in the fruitful regions, the opposite of what was present in the deserts: cold. Therefore, ice would serve as the cold’s own landscape. So Xaiyar created his next greatest beings after having created the gods. So much of Xaiyar’s strength, power, and supernatural ability left him and went into the gods so that when he created the dragons, no magic could he give them. For the lack of magical ability his creation would have. Of such huge stature were the creatures newly formed that the gods sensed their vastness and trembled at their power. Even though the dragons did not have any magical powers, they were blessed with reasoning, wisdom, and common sense—three things the gods lacked.
These creatures came to be known as beasts—breathers of frost—and later: dragons. The dragons were given a region in the north where they were to freeze the water, land, and any other living thing in order to create the balance the earth needed. The dragons effortlessly made a home for themselves by covering their region with ice. They lived with each other, and the long years eventually yielded unto them newly hatched dragons. Being blessed with longevity in life, the dragons could live hundreds of years to finally be taken by old age.
The vast region provided ample space for the numerous dragons to fly around, play their games, and hunt the cold-adjusted animals. It was during such a peaceful and lazy time that a god appeared to them. Small he was, but fair to look upon, even for the dragons who had never before seen such a creature called an elf. The dragons—who had their own tongue but one which was rough and ill-equipped to letting the dragons communicate with one another—were surprised when the god spoke to them in a language other than their own, but one which they could understand. The god told them, “I am come from the elves situated away down in the south and ask for your help. Some of our elves have betrayed us and hurt us and we would like you to destroy them with your frosty breath.”
The grandfather dragon from whom the other dragons had come projected his thoughts to the god: “Why should we do this for you? We know you are not of the elves but of the gods. Why do you cloak yourself thus? Whatever credibility you had has all but completely vanished.”
The dragons thought this had left the god without any explanation for himself, but they were mistaken. News had not reached them that there was dissent amongst the gods and that the god to whom they were speaking was the one who had caused all the turmoil. Despite the fact that the dragons knew more than the god anticipated, he answered smoothly, “I have taken on an elvish form so you may see me. We gods do not have physical form, yet I thought that a physical being for you to focus your gaze upon may help you in speaking with me.”
No sooner had the god finished those words than the grandfather dragon retorted in his thoughts, “And how can we speak with you? We have no intelligent speech such as you. Thoughts suffice for now, but even we like to keep some of our thoughts to ourselves. So how will you solve this problem? Because I do not wish to speak to you anymore unless there is a way that will allow us to speak as you.”
Sanguinar smiled. “What you ask for, old dragon, is actually quite simple to accomplish. I will give you the gift of speech.” At that, he raised both hands so that his palms faced the dragons, he spoke a series of words that belonged to a different tongue. No physical difference in Sanguinar, their surroundings, or any of the dragons indicated a change, but an odd sensation in their mouths and throats leading into their lungs. Without any practice or any other directions, the old dragon spoke in a harsh voice with words rimmed in frost: “We go to complete your command.”
With a smug grin, Sanguinar turned and walked away, then vanished, leaving the ice-dragons alone once more, but changed. This gift of speech filled them with such joy and pride and thanks that they immediately set out from their icy region. It did not take long before they found the blood-elves, enjoying the riches of the earth. Without any second thoughts, the dragons exhaled their cold breath, which mixed with the moisture in the air, forming ice.